Category: Video

New Things

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song, Video4 Comments

I am going to admit that I do not like change, of any kind. I don’t like it when a favorite outfit wears out and I have to discard it. I don’t like it when my husband moves things around in the interest of “organization” and I can’t find them. I don’t like when my doctor I have been seeing for twenty years retires and I have to find a new specialist. I just don’t like new. But God does…so there is that.

God creates new things from nothing. So when He says He is doing a new thing, it isn’t taking something old and re-purposing it. It is all brand new.

God creates and I am likely the one standing there saying, “Yes, that’s very nice, but I liked the old thing better.” I know that you are probably gasping at my boldness right now, but God already knows what I am thinking and how I feel so saying it out loud isn’t going to surprise Him. He has been working on me lately to get me to accept new things, new people in my life, a new arrangement of furniture so I can get around with my walker, and even a few new-to-me foods. But I must say that on the last one, it has to really smell and look good to get me to even try it. I am not a “Daniel Boone” kind of person willing to blaze whatever trail is needed. I am the kind of person who likes the trail already laid out with a map or GPS telling me all of the stops and places along the way that might delay my travel. God doesn’t give us a map of our lives and tell us to just follow it and we will be fine. God likes to do new things because He knows that some new things are good for us, others stretch us, others test us and in the end, they all grow us.

We may think that we have everything all figured out and then God shows us that we definitely don’t. God works within us to accomplish His goals for us and if that means changing, then that is what He works on. Again, that word I don’t like…change. With my health issues, there have been a lot of changes this last year. I have to plan trips around my medication schedule so that I am not asking my husband for a bathroom break every half hour or so when we are on the road. I had to change my Sunday school class because the building for the couple one doesn’t have a bathroom that I can use except down some very treacherous and steep stairs. I am not traveling to see grandchildren as much as I would like because I just don’t feel well, and then, of course, there are always medical appointments that intervene. I didn’t get to see my sister for her birthday this year because I had just been diagnosed with the whole heart issue and the doctor didn’t want me to travel. Road bumps are a part of life, but I am discovering that some of those bumps are part of God’s plan for me and He already knew that they were coming. I am the only one surprised by them. But God’s word says He can do “infinitely MORE than we might ask or think.” We are finite people with a finite mind, but God is not. Thus trust enters the picture and we know that He is working and doing more, more than we thought possible, more than we can even ever imagine. Who knew that I would make new friends in the new class? God knew. Who knew that the new nephrologist would be so on top of things that he calls to make sure I show up for extra labs when my numbers go up? God knew. Who knew that not visiting my sister meant that the doctor would relent and give me permission to go to our granddaughter’s wedding, even helping me with the med schedule I would need to follow to make the long trip? God knew. So, am I resting in this new world of change and adjustment? No, but I am getting better at the whole “wait and see” thing. I am more willing to wait and see what God will do to work things out in a new and creative way.

And isn’t it just like God to remind me this morning that God is preparing things for me and I cannot even imagine the new things He has waiting for me.

Thankful Thursday

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Video3 Comments

Two words in this scripture jumped right out at me this morning during my devotional and I am sure you can guess what they are.

First is that word ALWAYS. I am fairly sure that I know what always means, but I took time to look it up online. According to Merriam-Webster , always means: at all times, forever and in any event. Now, let’s think together about these definitions. At all times means in good times, bad times, regular times, so-so times, when you feel well, when you don’t feel well and whether you feel like it or not. Forever is just what it says: for every moment, for every day, from now until you take your last earthly breath and enter eternity to praise God. And “in any event” means to me that no matter the circumstances or what is happening to us or around us.

The second word that jumped out at me is EVERYTHING. Back to Merriam-Webster for another definition. “Everything” means: all that exists and all that is important. What exists in my life may not be what exists in your life, but whatever exists is part of everything for that individual. And, of course, what is important to me may not be important to you in any way, but we both have things in our lives that are important.

So, we are to at all times give thanks to God the Father for all that exists and all that is important in our lives. I am not seeing a “when we feel like it” or “when all is going the way we want it to” in this verse, are you?

As you thank God today for all things, remember that the good and the bad and the ugly are things, too. They exist and they impact your life. I am not saying, and I don’t think that the verse is either, that you thank God for being ill or for tragedies that occur. You are thanking God that He is with you during the bad things that happen and that you are not alone and forsaken ever. God knows our hearts and knows when we are unhappy about our circumstances, but we can always thank Him for taking us through the difficulties or challenges we face and not just leaving us there. I generally add to my prayers for God to help me learn from the hard things so that I can then help others in similar situations. I also pray that I can continue to shed His light even when I feel as though I am surrounded by darkness.

I hope today’s post resonated with you. I will close with my Thankful Thursday List (or the start of it) and a song for you.

Note that this is a short list of the many, many things I am thankful for. It’s a beginning of my thankful journey for the day.

Give Thanks-Don Moen

Near to God

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song, Video8 Comments

I have been pressing into God lately, mostly because of life changes but also because I want a closer relationship with Him. I have had some physical challenges lately that have let me know that I need to depend on God or I just won’t make it through all of this.

This scripture is comforting to me…He is already near me when I call. He is not a distant God that I have to yell to be heard. He is right there all the time whenever I want to talk to Him.

Talking to God is like second nature to me. The doctor says my spine might collapse so I can’t lift over five pounds. I talked to God. The same doctor says that I have a better than average chance of breaking my hip in the next year, especially if I fall. So, before I get up to walk around, I talk to God and ask Him to keep me upright and stable. My neurologist is sending me to a neurosurgeon because he says that I need spine surgery. You better believe I am talking to God about this one! In fact, I think God and I have a constant conversation going and instead of this being odd or new, it is actually commonplace. I used to talk to Him a lot about our children and their needs and my problems disciplining them. They are all grown, and now I am older, so most of my conversations deal with medical issues that God knows about but that I need to address the issue to the only One who can truly help me persevere.

I hope and pray that you have daily conversations with God, all day long, just as if your best friend were there in the room with you. He is God and He is to be adored and praised and lifted up. But He is also the friend who is close by and also available when I call out to Him for wisdom, relief from pain or safety as I walk from room to room. I really enjoy talking to God because I can be honest with Him and tell Him anything, including that I am unhappy with the situation, even as I ask Him for His grace to get through it. Tell God what you’re thinking and then step out of His way so He can work in your life. He is as close as your next breath and He desires to bless you and to let you know how much He loves you.

Draw Near to God-Russ Taft and Leigh Nash

Sunday Worship

On By vickleaIn Scripture, Song, Video2 Comments

Today is Palm Sunday, the day the crowds welcomed Jesus with all kinds of accolades before they then joined the mob that called for His crucifixion. Before you start thinking what awful people those were, I would like to remind you that we were part of that crowd and then the mob. We might not have been there physically, but can you honestly say that if you had lived during that time, you would have reacted differently? The tendency is to follow the crowd. That’s one of the reasons the Bible admonishes us to be careful with whom we associate.

That all being said, I love the traditions of Palm Sunday and the fact that all of the praise goes to the Lord, who is indeed worthy and should have never fallen out of favor with the Pharisees who were supposed to recognize the Messiah. Since Jesus’s death was prophesied and orchestrated by God, and since each of us benefit from the salvation that comes from the flowing of His life’s blood, we can do no less than offer Him a sacrifice of praise.

We Bring the Sacrifice of Praise-Maranatha! Music

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus-Dust and Grace

To God Be the Glory-Faithful Worship

Have a blessed Palm Sunday, filled with thanksgiving and praise for all the Lord has done!

Sunday Hymn: Onward, Christian Soldiers

On By vickleaIn Admonition, Hymn, Scripture, Song, Video6 Comments

The Baptist Hymnal No. 493

1. Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See His banner go!
(Refrain)

2. At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise!
(Refrain)

3. Like a mighty army
Moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the saints have trod.
We are not divided;
All one body we,
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
(Refrain)

4. Onward then, ye people,
Join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song;
Glory, laud, and honor
Unto Christ the King;
This thro’ countless ages
Men and angels sing.
(Refrain)

Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before!

Onward Christian Soldiers-Joslin Grove Choral Society

This image goes along with my post yesterday about preparing for each new day with the armor of God. Today, God reminded me of a hymn to spur us on as we go into battle, so I thought a visual of the armor would be appropriate here.